depressive episodes

Recently, OK let’s be real the last few days, I’ve been stuck in a depressive episode.

I’ve been getting better at recognizing the signs so as soon as I felt it coming I started going through my list of things I do to help intervene. Once it hit, I then went through my self-care list, but everything has just been temporary relief.

I find it very frustrating to be cognizant of my mood, but entirely unable to shift it. It’s almost worse than not understanding the source of the feelings in some ways.

When I chatted with my therapist about it (which as a side note, I am seldom in a session WHILE I’m in a depressive episode so it was easier to explain what’s happening in my brain) she said that it’s OK to be doing everything “right” and still not feel OK because I know this is something that will pass. Even if I don’t feel “better,” doing that self-care will at minimum keep me from continuing to go downhill.

So to answer my own question, I will keep going through my list and asking for support when I am able to (because I don’t know about you, but I shut down inwardly and cannot always verbalize what I need).

Do you ever find yourself in this situation? What do you do?

#BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #BipolarDepression #Depression #Hypomania #MentalHealth #DepressiveDisorders #DepressiveEpisodes

On today's podcast episode, I speak with Chris Templeton. Chris has struggles all of his life with a mood disorder, Dysthymia. He did not receive a proper diagnosis until 1 year ago. The diagnosis has helped Chris to understand why he has been struggling for so long. Chris has since sought help and is now able to manage his diagnosis.

Listen to today's podcast episode to learn about Dysthymia, it's symptoms, and how to manage it.

84. How to live with and manage Dysthymia with Chris Templet...

#PersistentDepressiveDisorder #DepressiveEpisodes #Depression #mentalhealthpodcast #DepressionSigns #signsandsymptoms

I’ve always used art to cope with certain feelings and express emotions depending my depression.
It was important for me, that I manage to express the exact feeling I had and that it would have an impact on the viewer. That people would feel the emotions while looking at the artwork.
Since a few days I’m struggling with anxiety attacks and a lot of crying.
There doesn’t have to be a special cause for it, sometimes I’m just watching a series and someone says something that triggers me and then it just starts to happen.
I’m crying and my eyes are burning. There are reddish stains above my face, my eyes and my nose have a red undershot.
In this moment it feels like I’ll never be able to stop crying but within a moment, it stops. The tears stop and there’s only this empty look in my eyes left as I stare into the mirror.
And I feel so tired.

#Depression #MentalHealth #DepressiveEpisodes #Art #ArtTherapy #Anxiety #AnxietyAttack

Until now I’ve been through three big depressive episodes throughout my life. The last two years, I held my shit together and it went well, but the past half year was really tough. My last big decision was to quit my current job because it’s so overwhelming for me and definitely not good for my mental and physical health. The decision itself felt so liberating and the four weeks off from work, being at home and concentrating on art got me my motivation back. I have so many things I want to do and to aim in the future but just a few days later the anxiety started.
What if I don’t find a better job that fits my imaginations? What if I don’t have enough money? Will I be able to reach all the goals I set for myself?
These thoughts are so overwhelming that I sometimes can’t get out of bed anymore. I’m just sitting there and I’m not able to move a centimetre. I feel that I have to cry but I can’t. When I try to sleep, a thought comes and makes my heart beat faster, the anxiety gets so heavy.
I never wanted to be in this state anymore.

I did this painting when I had my second depressive episode. I used my art to cope and express the feelings I had at this time.
#Depression #Anxiety #AnxietyAttack #DepressiveEpisodes

Feeling really sad today… a little more then usual. I’m scared of the future and my heart aches. I don’t want to be alone forever.
#DepressiveEpisodes #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #sad #FearOfAbandonment

I just don’t know what to do anymore… I feel so lonely all the time and can’t turn my brain off… I just want someone to care about me…
#SuicidalIdeation #DepressiveEpisodes #feelinglonely #MajorDepressionDisorder